During my college years in San Francisco, I had an amazing discovery: The Grocery Outlet. As a student living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, the store was a godsend. It sold packaged, refrigerated and frozen food that was either near its expiry date or had expired, at a deep discount. Needless to say, I was thrilled to be able to keep my food budget to around $45 a week. However, I wasn’t really aware of the broader implications.

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H/t reader squodgy:

““Deformed” fruit and vegetables still taste good and benefit our health. The regimentation of shape and size by government idiots reached epic levels in the 80’s when straight cucumbers and bananas were deemed to comply to rigid guidelines, resulting in massive waste. Similarly, “Sell By” and “Display Until” dates force retailers to unnecessarily dump what, in most obvious cases is quite safe food produce. As food shortages manifest over coming years, a re-think will be necessary, and we can only hope our dumbed down next generation millenials will adapt.”